At the Psychological Consultation Center, we conduct comprehensive multimodal ADHD evaluations. We base our assessment process on methods developed by internationally recognized scientists and clinicians. We’ve specifically designed it to accurately identify this disorder. In addition, our clinical staff relies heavily on their experience of assessing thousands of children and adults in arriving at the most accurate diagnosis.

ADHD consists of three problem areas.

Most people with ADHD have at least one or two of the following issues:

Distractibility — can’t stay focused. Typical behaviors might be daydreaming, losing things, forgetfulness, inability to concentrate in a group or being chronically late.

ADHD is not caused by laziness, a poor work ethic, or not caring about others.

ADHD is not caused by poor parenting, immaturity, or stress. Most scientists and clinicians agree that ADHD stems from neurological or neurochemical abnormalities in the brain.

Research has confirmed that the activity in the brains of those with ADHD is different from those without the disorder.

ADHD has also been shown to run in families, providing further support for a genetic component to the disorder. We also now realize that as many as 50% of children and teens diagnosed with ADHD continue to show symptoms impairment in adulthood, negating the common myth that ADHD is something one “grows out of”.

It’s important to know that most people do not have all of these symptoms. Some only have difficulty staying focused. Others are overactive, but still manage to pay attention to what is going on around them. Most individuals, however, have some symptoms of both distractibility and impulsivity.

It is important to remember that ADHD-symptoms can mimic other psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorders or learning disabilities. Individuals with ADHD can also experience these conditions alongside their ADHD. For this reason, a comprehensive assessment is often the best starting place in determining the full range of issues and then using this to guide treatment interventions.

The assessment covers several life areas including:

Developmental history

Family history

Academic functioning

Tests of attention. impulse control, and executive function

Screening for other disorders

The assessment includes a feedback session in which the results are explained and recommendations provided. We also write a detailed report and send it to you so you can share it with your physician, school, or other treatment professionals.